Dodgy brakes on oldish mountain bike. Options?

spiderjazz

I've recently dug out a Raleigh Mountain bike that's about 15-16 years old. I had it looked/serviced in a bike shop about 2 years ago, had the brake pads/tyres replaced and its all working grand. My concern though is with the brakes. To put it frankly, they're rubbish. I don't have a picture of them, but I believe they're regular rim brakes. There's no way you could stop suddenly with them and they're very loud and squeaky.

My question is what options do I have with them? Is there any way for me to install a new set of brakes that would be more 1.effective and 2. relatively cheap? I wouldn't mind doing a self install if something is possible.

Tonyandthewhale

Well what kind of brakes are they? V-brakes? Side-pull ? U-brakes? Canti's?

Icyseanfitz

i take it you would only be using it for commuting etc? you really wouldnt want to be using a 15 year old raleigh mtb on mtb trails

el Bastardo

It's good to know what type of brakes you have in order to offer any advice, but aside from that, the other thing to look at are the brake pads; It's a simple fix and can make a huge difference.

spiderjazz

From looking at pictures, I'm gonna say they're cantilever brakes. I'll take a picture of them later on, so that people can be sure they are. Is it possible to change these?

spiderjazz

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

i take it you would only be using it for commuting etc? you really wouldnt want to be using a 15 year old raleigh mtb on mtb trails

Down to the shop and back will be about as adventurous as it will get

spiderjazz

el Bastardo wrote: »

It's good to know what type of brakes you have in order to offer any advice, but aside from that, the other thing to look at are the brake pads; It's a simple fix and can make a huge difference.

I had the brake pads replaced on it before, and didn't make much of a difference then. It prob has seen less than 20 miles on it since they were changed 2 years ago. I suppose there's a chance they could have perished since then though.

Icyseanfitz

id go to your lbs and just ask if they can service them or get you some new ones, id say some new cables a bit of a clean and some new pads and you would be sorted though, is there any rust on levers cables calipers etc?

spiderjazz

Right, there definitely cantilever brakes anyway, and they're fairly rusty alright, all parts to be honest from the cables down to the grips. Any recommendations for a good bike shop around Douglas area in Cork? How much should I be looking at to get them serviced/cleaned? Thanks for the help.

mockerydawg

Rothar on Barrack Street or Kilgrews on Kyle Street will offer best value and advice.
I'd avoid Douglas Cycles, unless you don't want good value or good advice.

spiderjazz

mockerydawg wrote: »

Rothar on Barrack Street or Kilgrews on Kyle Street will offer best value and advice.
I'd avoid Douglas Cycles, unless you don't want good value or good advice.

Thank you, might give a call up to barrack street with her tomorrow and see what they say to me.

Tonyandthewhale

You could probably replace them with V-brakes pretty easy so and that should improve the braking dramatically.

gman2k

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

i take it you would only be using it for commuting etc? you really wouldnt want to be using a 15 year old raleigh mtb on mtb trails

Hey, what do you think they used on the trails 15 years ago?
I've a project on the go (slowly mind you) - a Diamond Back Apex steel frame MTB. I used that up the Wicklow Mountains manys a time back in the day with rigid forks and cantis quill stem etc.
I've had it since 93! (and was SH and that)